Michigan football: Harbaugh’s recruiting efforts should end Ohio State’s dominance

Jul 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer speaks during 2015 Big Ten Football Media Days at Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Harbaugh sets the stage to recruit Ohio (and elsewhere)

So to challenge Meyer  in talent-rich Ohio, Harbaugh hired Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward’s HS head coach Rick Finotti as director of  football operations. Although he won’t have direct recruiting responsibilities, he certainly knows Ohio. Finotti coached Lakewood, which is just outside Cleveland, to a pair of state championships and finished with a record of 62-15 in six seasons.

Harbaugh has two other assistants with Ohio ties. Defensive coordinator  D.J. Durkin and secondary coach Michael Zordich were both born in Youngstown. Durkin spent time at Bowling Green and Zordich was on the staff at Youngstown State.

With 21 commits, Michigan will have a full class when it reaches 28 or 29 depending on attrition.

Michigan’s next recruiting push will be its Big House Barbeque this coming Sunday (Aug. 2). The popular event originated in 2008 by then-coach Rich Rodriguez and is  a good chance for the coaching staff to spend quality time with both prospects and commits.

Next: Is Michigan ready for another Ten Year War